The OPAT service allows patients who are medically stable to complete their IV antibiotic treatment at home rather than staying in hospital.
The team, made up of eight specialist nurses, provide care to patients in their own home, care home or rehabilitation setting throughout Kirklees.
The team works closely with colleagues within the hospital settings to enable review of patients progress and escalate any concerns identified.
On discharge from hospital patients are sent home with all the required equipment. This will vary depending on the type of treatment required. Patients will be sent home with their cannula or central line in place, ready to continue treatment at home. A cannula is a flexible plastic tube, that is inserted into the vein and a central line is like a cannula but longer and goes all the way up to a vein near or just inside the ear.
The first visit will usually be within 24 hours of leaving hospital and a full assessment will be carried out. This visit will involve a full check of all equipment sent home on discharge, an explanation of what the treatment will involve, contact details for the service, setting up of any additional equipment required and confirmation of timings of future visits.
The nurse stays with the patient throughout the required intervention, this could be between 30-60 minutes.
The patient may feel anxious about having their iv therapy at home and not in a hospital setting. The team regularly receive excellent feedback about the support and reassurance they provide to patients.
Patients who are on the OPAT caseload remain under the care of the consultant from the discharging trust but if you have a patient who you feel would benefit from IV Therapy please give the service a ring and we would be happy to provide advice. If you have a patient you wish to refer please click on the 'Professionals' button.
OPAT Team: 07908 529195.
Locala Single Point of Contact on 0300 304 5555.
The OPAT Team operate 7 days a week 8am-9pm.
